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Olivia Palermo's Slimming Secrets: It's All In The Belt

Click through now for all the surprising ways the accessories expert whittles her waist and to shop our editor-approved belts.

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Belt Tip #1: Break Up A Patterned Outfit

Head-to-toe print can be an overwhelming look for even the most seasoned of stylists. How does Palermo tackle the problem? With a belt, naturally. At the Nonoo S/S 14 runway show, Palermo broke up her Hugo Boss skirt and shirt with a color-coordinated BCBG belt. A Rebecca Minkoff purse, Tibi shoes, and her go-to Ray-Ban sunglasses completed the black-and-white ensemble.

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PHOTO: ABUS/Misha Gulko

Belt Tip #2: Create A Peplum Effect With An Oversized Sweater

Bundling up doesn’t have to mean bulky. Palermo made sure to highlight her figure when out walking her dog, Mr. Butler, by cinching a metal waist belt over an oversized sweater to create a peplum effect. Side-stripe jeans by Hudson heighten the slimming effect.

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PHOTO: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Belt Tip #3: Belt A Blazer For A Form-Fitting Evening Ensemble

It hadn’t occurred to us to belt a blazer before coming across this image of Palermo in head-to-toe Christian Dior at the fashion house’s Haute Couture show this past summer, but we think the girl is on to something. The crystal-embellished belt nips in the waist and completely changes the blazer’s silhouette from loose-fitting to body-skimming. It’s officially time to break the boundaries of where a belt can go.

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PHOTO: Bennett Raglin/WireImage

Belt Tip #4: Belt A Blousy Top For A Relaxed Effect That Still Shows Your Figure

How to add shape to a loose-fitting top? Palermo tucked her Tibi blouse into her skirt, and highlighted her waist with a braided belt at the label’s S/S 14 show.

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PHOTO: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Belt Tip #5: Add Shape & Interest To A Conservative Dress

You know that conservative sheath you wear to work? You guessed it: the dress looks better with a belt. Palermo provides an excellent case study backstage at the KaufmanFranco S/S 14 show. Belting her CH by Carolina Hererra dress, the street style star achieves a twofer effect: adding a punch of color and cutting a slimmer figure in a relaxed fit dress. Pure genius.